Baguio’s livelihood trailblazers

As diversity in hard work brings diversity in achievement, three of the prime movers of the Baguio business scene have taken on different adventures united by a common goal of progress.

Mario Alzona’s main business is housing and general engineering contracting and real estate. Thus, among his many businesses, he considers ALPA-PCM, established 1985, as his flagship venture.

Despite the many challenges faced by ALPA-PCM, it has helped in building significant establishments in the country’s summer capital, such as the 2-barrack building of the Philippine Military Academy.

Among Alzona’s other businesses are CALGRYP Philippines, Inc., Topland Marketing & Management Corp., 2BIG Cordillera Resources and Development Corp., and Realeza Development Corp. Recently, Alzona set up IConnect E-Services, Inc., a call center company which is emerging as a strong player in the industry.

“Having engaged in all these businesses, I would like to impart to other people that really there is nothing impossible if you put your heart into it,” said Alzona, who was among the Filipinos who tried their luck abroad. “Even if you don’t have money, you can do it. It’s all in one’s will and perseverance.”

Alzona has also been to different countries – Hawaii, Vietnam, Korea, Australia, Mongolia, and Japan, to name a few – for numerous overseas trades.

Another notable business flourishing in Baguio is Chico River Quest Inc. (CRQI), a family corporation that has established links with river rafting enthusiasts in the United States for technology transfer and promoting eco-tourism in Kalinga.

CRQI aspires to give prominence to the Chico River, which originates from the Mountain Province and drains down to the rivers of Cagayan, not by conquering it but by respecting and protecting it.

CRQI offers open schedules for whitewater rafting trips throughout the year, which include river shuttles, food and accommodations, Kalinga guides, fabulous scenery, exhilarating rapids, and a glimpse of Kalinga culture.

Equipped with the latest state-of-the-art self bailing rafts and equipment that has passed US Coast Guard standards, CRQI is a pioneer in the country for whitewater rafting and kayaking, having made first descents of Kalinga rivers with Tao Berman, the Guinness Book record holder in having kayaked the highest waterfall.

Also making waves in the Baguio entrepreneurial scene is the Bago-Ilokano-Tagalog-Igorot-Cagayano-Kalinga (BITICK) Women’s Organization that proves women and wine can uplift spirits and provide livelihood. Established in 2002, the group of women recognized the need to unite for a mutual benefit fund that can offer assistance during times of death or sickness. Comprised mostly of the population of barangay Dagupan Weste in Tabuk, Kalinga, the organization was able to accumulate a small amount to loan out to its members. In 2003, they registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and started implementing their livelihood and income-generating projects.

The group started liaising with the local government of Tabuk, Rural Bank of Tabuk and national line agencies for various forms of assistance. Today, they are engaged in food processing, popularizing Tabuk wine such as rice wine or tapey, and fruit wine or bugnay wine among local residents and visitors. Tapey is used during special ceremonies like weddings, wakes, bodong (Kalinga peace pact) and during the performance of traditional rituals dedicated to the ancestral spirits, the gods and goddesses, or to Kabunyan, the supreme deity, for the cure of a malady, or a petition for fertility, longevity, prosperity or bountiful harvest.

The Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Local Government Units and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority all provide marketing, training and technical assistance to expand the market for Tabuk wine.

“It’s not hard for us to share our technology for the continuous progress of our livelihood projects,” said Nancy L. Busacay, the president of BITICK Women’s Organization. “We have grown to be more than just a women’s organization. We have a vision and we act to achieve our vision.”

For their relentless efforts in practicing good entrepreneurship, Alzona, CRQI and BITICK Women’s Organization will be recognized by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as Inspiring Baguio Entrepreneurs, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo Teen Edition slated today at Teachers Camp, Baguio City.

Teen Negosyo is part of PCE’s latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions to key cities outside Metro Manila. The Caravan has already visited Cebu and Bacolod.

Teen Negosyo is a project in partnership with the Department of Education-Center for Student and Co-Curricular Affairs through the representation of its Executive Director Joey Pelaez.

Teen Negosyo is presented by Philippine Airlines, Pagcor, Globe, Hyundai, PLDT, Smart, Islands Souvenirs, Philippine Trade and Training Center, DTI-OTOP, and RFM Corp. Other partners of the event include The Philippine STAR, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law, Ideal Minds Corp., The Master’s Lighthouse Foundation, and Full Circle Communications.